The Union Government has returned the detailed project reports submitted for the Coimbatore and Madurai Metro Rail proposals, noting that both cities fall short of the population threshold required under the Metro Rail Policy 2017. Tamil Nadu had submitted comprehensive mobility plans and alternative analyses for the two cities in December 2024.In its communication dated 14 November, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs stated that Coimbatore’s population, as per the 2011 Census, is 1.584 million, while Madurai’s figure is below 1.5 million — both short of the two-million requirement stipulated under Clause D(ii)(a) for initiating metro planning. The ministry highlighted that metro systems are capital-intensive and must ensure long-term financial and operational sustainability.Transportation activist Dayanand Krishnan challenged the decision, observing that cities with comparable populations — including Agra, Patna and Bhopal — have metro projects underway. He noted that the equity and subordinated-debt components for the Coimbatore and Madurai proposals amount to about Rs 300 million, requiring an annual central share of around Rs 75 million, which he argued is relatively modest compared to the scale of other national infrastructure projects.Dayanand Krishnan added that the Centre has approved significantly larger projects, such as the Rs 1 trillion high-speed rail system, and that declining Tamil Nadu’s metro plans on grounds of population or cost could deny important mobility benefits to large commuter groups.Officials at Chennai Metro Rail Limited stressed that the correspondence should not be interpreted as a final rejection. Revised DPRs for both cities will be prepared and resubmitted following consultations with state authorities and central agencies.The ministry also suggested that Coimbatore and Madurai prioritise modern, cost-efficient mass-transit options such as upgraded bus systems and bus rapid transit systems. According to the approved comprehensive mobility plan for Madurai, existing and projected travel demand could be effectively met through a BRTS rather than a metro network.